Tian Lun Gas Holdings Limited (HKG:1600) shares have had a really impressive month, gaining 29% after a shaky period beforehand. Unfortunately, the gains of the last month did little to right the losses of the last year with the stock still down 16% over that time.

Although its price has surged higher, you could still be forgiven for feeling indifferent about Tian Lun Gas Holdings' P/E ratio of 8.4x, since the median price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio in Hong Kong is also close to 9x. Although, it's not wise to simply ignore the P/E without explanation as investors may be disregarding a distinct opportunity or a costly mistake.

With earnings that are retreating more than the market's of late, Tian Lun Gas Holdings has been very sluggish. One possibility is that the P/E is moderate because investors think the company's earnings trend will eventually fall in line with most others in the market. If you still like the company, you'd want its earnings trajectory to turn around before making any decisions. Or at the very least, you'd be hoping it doesn't keep underperforming if your plan is to pick up some stock while it's not in favour.

Is There Some Growth For Tian Lun Gas Holdings?

There's an inherent assumption that a company should be matching the market for P/E ratios like Tian Lun Gas Holdings' to be considered reasonable.

Taking a look back first, the company's earnings per share growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 29%. As a result, earnings from three years ago have also fallen 38% overall. Accordingly, shareholders would have felt downbeat about the medium-term rates of earnings growth.

Looking ahead now, EPS is anticipated to climb by 22% per year during the coming three years according to the two analysts following the company. With the market only predicted to deliver 16% each year, the company is positioned for a stronger earnings result.

With this information, we find it interesting that Tian Lun Gas Holdings is trading at a fairly similar P/E to the market. Apparently some shareholders are skeptical of the forecasts and have been accepting lower selling prices.

What We Can Learn From Tian Lun Gas Holdings' P/E?

Its shares have lifted substantially and now Tian Lun Gas Holdings' P/E is also back up to the market median. We'd say the price-to-earnings ratio's power isn't primarily as a valuation instrument but rather to gauge current investor sentiment and future expectations.

Our examination of Tian Lun Gas Holdings' analyst forecasts revealed that its superior earnings outlook isn't contributing to its P/E as much as we would have predicted. When we see a strong earnings outlook with faster-than-market growth, we assume potential risks are what might be placing pressure on the P/E ratio. At least the risk of a price drop looks to be subdued, but investors seem to think future earnings could see some volatility.

Before you settle on your opinion, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Tian Lun Gas Holdings (1 is concerning!) that you should be aware of.

You might be able to find a better investment than Tian Lun Gas Holdings. If you want a selection of possible candidates, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a low P/E (but have proven they can grow earnings).

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.